The scramble for Central Asia

Central Asia is much in demand these days, whether as a transit route for U.S. and NATO supplies to Afghanistan as an alternative to Pakistan or for its rich resources, including oil and gas.

So it’s worth noting that India has been hosting Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev as its guest of honour at its Republic Day celebrations while signing a bunch of trade deals in the process. According to reports in the Indian media, including in the Business Standard, the Week and the Times of India, India is seeking supplies of uranium for its nuclear plants and access to Kazakhstan’s oil and gas and in return would be expected to support Kakazhstan’s bid for membership of the World Trade Organisation. (India’s state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) said on Saturday it had signed a deal to explore for oil and gas in Kazakhstan.)

Before anyone gets too carried away about India stealing a march in Central Asia, this Indian website adds a note of realism: “India’s strategy towards Central Asian countries has been no different than its strategy towards African nations, and can be only summarized as ‘playing catch-up with the Chinese’,” it says. “In this new “Great Game” of the century, India is consistently assuming the role of “Johnny-come-lately” to China in Central Asia.”

That said, it still struck me as an interesting signpost in the competition between Asia and the U.S-led west for resources and influence, with Central Asia likely to become increasingly important both as a source of energy and as a supply route to Afghanistan.

The significance of this competition is unlikely to be lost on Russia which, according to this article by former Indian diplomat M K Bhadrakumar ,could end up playing off the United States against China. He writes that while Russia does not want to see the United States and NATO defeated in Afghanistan, nor does it want them to use Central Asian supply routes to Afghanistan as an excuse to win access to the region’s oil and gas. “Russian experts estimate that the proposed Caspian transit route could eventually become an energy transportation route in reverse direction, which would mean a strategic setback for Russia in the decade-long struggle for the region’s hydrocarbon reserves.” So as part of this complex balancing act, he says, it is looking for a bigger role for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation — dominated by Russia and China — in stabilising Afghanistan.

Critics of the Bush administration acknowledged that former vice-president Dick Cheney got the importance of Central Asia even as they condemned his methods. Now India is jumping in on the act. How is the new administration of President Barack Obama going to approach Central Asia, while juggling relations with Russia, trying to turn the tide in Afghanistan and reducing U.S. dependence on Pakistan?

(Photos: President Nursultan Nazarbayev inspects guard of honour in New Delhi/B. Mathur

Young hunter with his tame golden eagle in central Kazakhstan/Shamil Zumakov)

I would not agree that India’s foreign policies are following the foot steps of china..india acted late on Uranium deal because India only got the Nuclear deal recently..ONGC videsh already has presence in Iran, Africa, Russia and many other countries, we had enough share of oil and gas to suffice our energy requirements.
As far as policy towards africa, china was caught red handed supllying the full ship loads of its cheap weapons to rebels in africa in return to stolen oil from pipe lines in africa..to call India is following china’s foot steps is disrespectfull and is totally not called for.

To add to my previous post,
India never make foreign deals for which it pays back with supply of arms/ammunition but china does.
India do not try to alter its currency value to attract foreign investment but china does.
India never violated any foreign patent by copying the technology as soon as foreign companies started operations in India but china does.
Indian exporters do not try to cheat customers by selling tainted milk/poultry/drugs.
To summarize China is largely an unethical and un-trust worthy country there are visible differences as big as difference between a goat and an elephant between Indian policies and chinese policies.

India is on the right track,it must ensure that the trade deficit tilts in the favour of African & central Asian nations, encouraging private trade exchange & balance it with a long term economic & political relationship in sight, & work on a economic reverse approach with the advanced countries,

with respect to China- it’s foolhardiness to set your home on fire, envying your neighbours prosperity…each to his own.

this catching-up-with-china shows india doesn’t have a systematic efficient long term policy. this is also evident in domestic issues from economic reforms to homeland security.
at best india didn’t have a clear policy. let’s hope we now have.
though just being in the race for national prestige is not recommended. pakistan now or never

central asia is very important for trade and resources. the new road india built in afghanistan through iran also will serve the purpose.

Central Asia is the reservoir of energy resources. No wonder, everyone is scrambling for a slice of Central Asia’s underground riches.

The US will have to consider either joining or being an observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Even a passive membership in the SCO can help the US in getting easy access to an energy rich Central Asia, However, it’ll only happen on the terms of the Chinese and the Russians; something the US may not like after enjoying decades of unopposed dominance in the world.

China always chases new sources of energy or access to new markets with unprecedented speed and ruthless pragmatism. It’s normal for them to be a step ahead of others. The Chinese will not hesitate to “buy” favors from blood-thirsty dictators, help “shoot” dissenters in the host country or “tamper” with its currency to keep prices of goods artificially low.

Russia is already riding high with its new found arsenal – petrodollars! In the years to come, Russia along with Central Asia will be sitting on largely untapped reservoir of oil, gas, minerals and fresh water. We’ve to see how Russia uses its resources to influence its relations with China and the US.

India, given its population, is not endowed with large reservoirs energy resources. India’s weak central coalition government makes things worse in the pursuit of oil, gas & minerals elsewhere. Consequently, India is often playing catch up with China because there are only few energy resources available worldwide. India’s good relations with Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Iran will be definitely useful in her quest for access to new energy sources.

China is a lot more unethical when it comes to everything, though they have also helped nations in Africa on their rebuilding efforts (however always siding with the corrupt governments rather than the grassroots).

India is more ethical only because of its young entrepreneurs who really have done a magnificent job. However India’s old foreign policy of non-intervention unless it serves our purpose still exists as we saw with Burma, so the ‘never makes deals with ammunitions’ doesn’t fly here. There are a lot of bad politicians waiting to fill their pockets. Luckily they’re also the non-innovative types, so the first ones to get their hands on the wealth are usually the good Indian businesses. Mammahon Singh is a business intellectual who is aware of the globalization, and though India is somewhat slower than China in regards to making contacts, India is still able to compete thanks to grassroots individuals. A manufacturing industry is also something that is needed to create a strong backbone and the reason this is not so is because its easier to setup shop in the services industry in India than it is in manufacturing due to the bureaucracy.

India has still yet to impress outstanding human rights domestically and internationally, though it is getting much better. If India is to compete with China or the first world countries, they must realize how much ethical intervention helps. The central Asian countries are mired in corruption and abuse. If India were to show BEYOND compassion in its practices they would be controlling Asia. But they haven’t. And as we’ve seen with Russia and China, they’ll never be Number One until they show some human rights and extra respect. The same goes for India, which I believe can be more ethical but are held back by reluctance to deal with the bad.

The New Great Game indeed.
India needs to start interacting in Central Asia as the mineral wealth there is immense and needed for India’s growth.
Read or subscribe to my blog for more on India’s ascendant:
http://indiaascendant.blogspot.com/

It’s absurd suggesting that India’s gotta “impress” the International, I presume you meant the ‘white’ first world with it’s human rights record,& is China which is the MFN of this very first world have a great human right record? with an official hanging of an average of 2000 humans? the Tinamen square massacre that’s conveniently forgotten? where innocent men are hung just because they resemble “Mao”, & what of the apathy shown by them in assisting India with the Bhopal gas tragedy? & do they themselves have a clean record on it?

Saf
Controlling Asia or any country is a psychotic frame of mind, & thankfully we don’t suffer from it. To be a proserous Nation will suffice, & let’s not get in this No.1 race…Manufacturing activities are comparatively handicapped for want of advance technology & the pariah treatment meted out is the main factor for it’s lagging, it’s high-time we discard this ‘white man enslavement’ mentality…& evolve in our own element…

Some times i myself wonder about the whole philosophy of the bloggin era…. much of which is hhot air, with that said, i will add my (hot air ballon)into the mix.

This the new realism of what geo-politics is all about with energy and its attributes being the source of emerging war/wars..Central Asia is just another pawn in the great chess game that started after the (ill fated) carving up of prize countries at the end of WW11. the smell of old colonial powers trying to assert themselves once more and the East-West divide is as smelly and wide and deep as ever. the new way of thinking (geo-political) and the proponents of such mindset is a continuation of what we originally knew as colonialism.

look to africa for an example of this as we speak (its resources is being robbed again in no uncertain manner)

however the Central Asian connection comes with a new
twist; instead of the barbaric scenes depicted in previous world wars the grand chess game involves of course that little area known as the Middle East.

any sort fo realignment for Central Asia will involve and have an effect on that region.

reason 1 the strong muslim population present in these Central Asian countries is a cause for concern among the
chess players

reason 2 the aspirations of these people (collectively)
is viewed as threat to the old colonial masters form each side of the board

in essence this is nothing new, this is remade, refined,with the same barbaric mentality that has made some countries what they are “pawns”

As described before in a previous blog which “alas” seemd to be rejected by the powers that be. this in itself is the perfect example of what is going on in Central Asia, position and /or possessions dictates who will be the master and who will be the servant.

in this case its the old rulers and old rules who is now attempting to dissect and carve out yet again the less fortunate i.e. central asia

in the new age of Geo-politic this is nothing new it is only revised, modernized but more brutal than before

the East West schism is this evident… the rise of Eastern countries India- China- Malaysia- Iran on the international stage will be seen by some as heralding in lost glory, the steady decline of the once mighty western countries is viewed by some as unimaginable and as a result of (false premise about devine right)it is the achilles heels of the common people. caught in the middle is the average folk. all in all it matters not what will happen but what is going to happen. as explaiend before this is nothing new. the carving up of prize countries after WW11 gave birth to this by .. you guessed former colonial rulers. for a better understanding religion and politic go hand in hand !!!!
“check the major religions of these central asian

I agree Anup, India should use globalization as a stepping stone to achieve self sufficient economy rather than chinese approach to become export driven economy. And India has been doing it with smartness. THe progress is comparitively slow to that of chinese because we are a open society with functioning democracy where bureaucracy is slow.
We are not following chinese way of reforms..they sabotaged the human rights, killed anyone who voiced against ruling elite’s decision, did not give freedom to media and i would simply call the people of that country as prisoners/slaves with no freedom.

Chinese suppressing religion practices are evident. I have a colleague in Mainland China, their family were practicing the Falun Gong. This grew over a time and suddenly the Chinese Government put a ‘BAN’. Her aunt continues to practice despite she has been arrested numerous times.

She also says that Chinese Government has a thought that if Religion practice are not controlled then China will become a victim of religions like it’s neighbors

With all these let’s not forget that there will be one more revolution that world has to witness in near future in China… (The Democracy)

Anitha
An Indo-China analogy, by a renowned economist (don’t remember his name, presumely a German)
India’s economy is like a typical Indian Highway, where the progress goes thru a roller-coaster ride, encountering potholes, even speed breakers(on a highway, you’ll find plenty, lol) etc. so although slowed down, the graph goes high & low, but ultimately the quintessential Indian reaches his destination.
The Chinese economy is exactly like it’s smooth Highways, it’s going on a neck-breaking speed, but, if they have to encounter even a small pebble, they will go out of control…

When I mean ‘impress’ I meant along the lines of ‘inspire’ as an exemplary model in democracy and human rights. I was thinking of 3rd world countries such as Burma, Fiji, African states, Latin states, etc. I never suggested China as a model human rights country, so I don’t know why you’re getting worked up on it. Perhaps you’re worried about India’s own record?

But since you brought up 1st world countries, well whether you like it or not, majority of them happen to be ‘white’. And they do tend to “generally” promote high quality of life domestically and internationally. Of course 1st world countries had many times exploited the poor 3rd world countries, such as not competing at market prices on food exports and imports, such as the asbestos sold to India by Canada (a first world country would NOT buy asbestos as a cheap construction substitute and there is a challenge against Canada on the selling of asbestos by concerned citizens) and as you specifically pointed out Bhopal to which even the Indian government has been apathetic to.

However what most of the world neglects is the high ethical standards and practices adopted by ‘most’ 1st world countries (especially for their OWN citizens). Lets put it this way…would you rather go through due process in the Dutch judicial system or the Indian judicial system?

‘Controlling’ may have been a poor choice for what I’m looking for. ‘Leading’ would suffice. I don’t know why you took it literally, and labeling my thought as psychotic, when all I was suggesting was India’s potential help towards its neighbors, of course if you rather choose non-intervention then that’s up to you.

I wouldn’t equate the manufacturing industry as ‘white enslavement’. Why the inferiority complex? Manufacturing has helped in great innovations and research since the industrial revolution. Its provided infrastructure and jobs and a good example is TATA industries just to see the positive impact. India has moved beyond sweatshops if that’s what you’re thinking.

Yes the service and information services have gained ground and are the new realities of economics, but to be self-efficient rather than relying on imports you need a strong manufacturing backbone.

Nothing wrong in evolving into a new element. But what is it? What’s the game plan? Do you not want to be Number 1? Would you rather live under a Chinese shadow? Would you not want to improve India into a brilliant human rights and democratic model? An ethical business leader? A political leader? A high quality standards country, not a high quantity standards country? A leader in scientific research, printing more periodicals than the West combined?

I maybe critical of India, and many here may disagree about the disparity in comparison I made between India and the West, but I am extremely optimistic and rather have their presence in middle Asia than the communist states and yes even the US. You can’t be knee jerk to every human rights criticism (or any criticism) and be isolationist in a time of globalization. These are things every country needs to work on, and India is no exception.

You do prove my point, your arguments are perfect examples of the’white man’s mental slave, you conveniently sidelined my core query, that if so-called human rights had to be the barometer with the west, then why is China their MFN (most favoured nation)& your kiddo games of comparisons& No.1 BS, are best ignored…I don’t entertain perverted glee…
India into a brilliant human rights and democratic model?
—It Is! & there are probably more Human Right activists in India than hair on your head, that’s if you not bald…count someone else’s…
An ethical business leader?
—What is your definition of ethics? Do you mean ‘ethical business norms’ as followed by your western masters, leading to the catastrophic economic global meltdown?
A political leader?
—How? By following the examples set by your ‘masters’ in Iraq & Afghanistan? hmmmm maybe with Pakistan…

“I was thinking of 3rd world countries such as Burma, Fiji, African states, Latin states, etc.”

—In case you are unaware, India is an ancient, culturally rich, self-inspired civilization,We prefer not to preach,whether to get inspired / impressed whatever is the prerogative of the concerned people…

Anup, incidently I happen to meet a german bussiness head recently who favoured setting his shop(manufacturing) in china rather than in India, when asked he used the roads to explain the difference !! (are germans road freaks ??)He explained..it took one full day to bring in machinery from chennai port to bangalore mainly because of delay on road and poor logistics services and he compared if he had to transport the same for 350kms in china it would have taken him 4hrs max, so his calculation he would have done 6 times more bussiness in the same time in china as compared to in India.But i have travelled on road several times between chennai and bangalore and i find the road fantastic, no speed breakers and smooth and spacious !!
Now after reading your comment am of the opinion Germans can only think of roads to put accross their opinion and Indians simply dont have time sense or sense of urgency in bussiness or bureaucracy or anything as compared to other nationals and that could be because of all this you said – India is an ancient, culturally rich, self-inspired civilization,We prefer not to preach,whether to get inspired / impressed whatever is the prerogative of the concerned people…

Talking about economy, incidently I switched on the radio and found some US experts discussing the US economy and its effect on other countries. They said that recession in US and downward US economy is affecting everyone & there is no way to hide anywhere in the world ripple effect—-not even in far way mountains!! China is already facing the ripple effect due to the very nature of its export oriented economy that helped its growth. Interestingly they pointed out that Indian economy is the most insulated economy from this global trend.

Another Article and excerpts from Newsweek along similar lines:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/178814

“India’s has been, and it is proving resilient to the prevailing headwinds in the global economy. “It’s kind of a self-sustaining process,” says Subir Gokarn, chief economist at Crisil, the Indian arm of Standard & Poor’s.”

“The contrast with China, Asia’s other economic giant, is stark. Domestic demand makes up three quarters of the Indian economy, compared with less than half for China, which is “why, relative to East Asian economies, India is somewhat insulated from the global trade slowdown,” says Shankar Acharya, a former chief economic adviser to the government.”

“The biggest risk to India in 2009 at this point may not be the global economy but domestic politics. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s United Progressive Alliance will see its term expire in May, and India’s election rules mean that he can no longer enact any significant policies—a measure adopted to prevent incumbents from stacking the deck with populist sops. That means as much as five months of paralysis, precisely when speedy, creative action is the order of the day. Moreover, though the nemesis of Singh’s Congress party—the Bharatiya Janata Party—mostly favors similar policies, a change in government would likely result in some further slowing of infrastructure projects that are already running behind schedule. And elections in India can be tricky. In the last one, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance lost despite racing economic growth, because poor voters rejected the BJP’s campaign claims of an “India Shining.”

The main reason for setting shop in china are the subsidies,(free land, cheap labour, free electricity etc.) the western mfg’s will enjoy all this & when the chips are down – abandon China lock, stock & barrel.
Rajeev has given a good account of the diff. we are 85% self-sufficient , 15% export dependence, thanks to the forceful isolation by the west since last 4 decades, anyways, that doesn’t resolves us of our failures, mainly for the socialist mindset pursued, yet our human prosperity index is nevertheless on the rise & what stats does anyone has access to the plight of over a billion chinese, for almost all the development is limited to a concentrated area, mainly Hans chinese…

Anup, India offers more than china does to set up shops in here..Free land that to in SEZ, cheaper labour than china..on an average people with same qualification and similar job in shanghai gets paid 1.5 times as much as from their Bangalore counterparts. Free electricity ?? I dont think so..south east part of china was continuoulsy out of power since olympics for different reasons and they still have sever shortages..added to that are chinese dracunion labour laws which are making the life of companies tougher year after year..
All said but it would be very interesting to watch china struggle if the global economic slump continues throughout 2009..it may lead to many changes starting from people starting to protest against high taxes there.
Or china may impose regulations like only one cheque in a month for a bank account holder..ban all ATM machines. God knows what.

Anitha,
…Chinese draconian labor laws which are making the life of companies tougher year after year…
— That’s made a big impact on them. Chinese labors are used to it. Making them to think out of the box is really tougher. It really take an hour or two to make them understand about the things, and finally a sigh from our end and an appreciation from their end, cos the matter was so simple 😛

Blogger (couldn’t ans.in the prev. post)
Zardari is basically demanding a ransom from the Americans, tossing the ‘K’ word is just a formality…

“For almost 60 years the relationship between Pakistan and America has been based on quid pro quo policies with short-term goals and no long-term strategy. Frankly, the abandonment of Afghanistan and Pakistan after the defeat of the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s set the stage for the era of terrorism that we are enduring. U.S. support for the priorities of dictatorship…”

What’s with the white hate? Not answer your core questions? Are you kidding me? They’re irrelevant. I’m sorry…but I don’t recall calling China a human rights champion. China’s human rights sucks from border to border and I mentioned that earlier. Why are you so envious that the West favours them? You know and I know its for the money. But guess what? They get wrapped for abuses by most organizations that are based and inspired mostly in first world countries!

But are you saying that there’s no point in being a model if not recognized? Or shouldn’t try at all because you don’t give a damn about the world?

You’re right. There are a lot of human rights activists in India…as there’s also a lot of human rights issues as well that have yet to be fixed. Don’t conveniently brush it under the mat. I take you’re one of those people who are anti ‘Slumdog Millionaire’? Luckily I have my hair intact so I win out on that. Don’t be rude.

Currently India made a plea for the safety of Sri Lankan civilians. Is that something you’re against as well…? I’m sure some Sri Lankans maybe thankful for the gesture though late. Thanks for entertaining my ‘perverted glee’ whatever that means…the hostility, sheesh!

Here’s hoping India comes out ahead and not held back by an isolationist ‘not give a damn’ attitude, and give more of its good to the world. At least I want India to be No. 1 and I think Anitha underscored an area for improvement (though I worry you may resent an opinion from a German ‘master’).

Saf
It’s not the ‘White’ that I’m commenting on, rather the manner in which people like you form an illusive image of them & are awestruck about, then go all out on all fours, seeking their approval & clamouring for their attention, & this ‘slave mentality’ is very much obvious in your post… we are competent enough to manage our own Human right index & are not ‘obliged’ to give an account of it to anyone, nor do we indulge in ‘global policing’, The ‘German’ part of the cons. is a open-minded discussion about Globalization, for us, unlike you, the west is not unipolar, for ‘Slumdog mill.’ Visit AB’s Blogsite, you’ll get a similar & befitting reply over there…

if only I could have part 2 posted to stress the globalization point. *sigh*

Anup,

You really really hate me, don’t you?

I’ve seen Slumdog and the criticisms pointed in the article are some of the criticisms I had pointed out to most of my peers. The ultra violence. The issue of using the word ‘slumdog’. However I’m not anti Slumdog as you may be. It is still a good critical movie, though perhaps with cultural bias, not totally inherently wrong as the abuses are real. I had heard similar critics of the Kite Runner as people thought Hollywood were exploiting the pains of the Hazaras. However if you read the book, that wasn’t the author’s intent, and neither was the movie really. What irks though is the hype its receiving which I think is probably more coinciding with the attacks in Mumbai, however its possible they would have garnered the same nominations whatever the situation. However despite the cons, I don’t see the movie as a ‘cultural debauchery’ as you may.

EXCUSE me, YOU did comment on the ‘WHITE’. You’re the one who brought it up, bro including slavery.I take offence to your racial stereotyping of me being a brown dude kissing up to a white dude. That’s rather racist. Or maybe you just hate brown dudes who like to live a Western life?

So I can’t mention ANYTHING nice or appreciate any good traits about any ‘white’ or ‘West’ country because that would dictate a mentality of white slavery? I guess since we’re both using a FINE (let me stress that in capitals because I’m such a suck up) service blog provided by REUTERS and typing in English, I must be a slave. Oh wait, aren’t you on Reuters too giving you’re opinions to a Western media audience?

You didn’t post an article from a writer, AB, because he/she’s brown? So you decided to give me a white writer’s article? Talk about prejudice.

Those young kids in the movie still live in crappy slums though are going to school now. There were new protests in India against the police in regards to toruture of Muslims in custody and general harrassment. Are you telling the HRW groups, NGOs and the concerned citizens to stick their nose out of any humanitarian issue that may arise? Not exactly a display of democratic principles. I didn’t realize you were working on creating an arrogant secretive communist society.

Look, clearly Anup you dislike me for whatever reason as I could tell with the ‘oppresser/oppressed’ comment you created in the other blog post.

Thanks Anup,
“we urge the United States to give us necessary resources — upgrading our equipment and providing the newest technology — so that we can fight the terrorists proactively on our terms, not reactively on their terms. Give us the tools, and we will get the job done.”

Saf
Hate you? No way buddy, I love your type,cunning ones, I love unmasking you’ll & expose the posturing, behind which lurk wily intentions…& hidden agendas & fabricated propagandas. (“There were new protests in India against the police in regards to torture of Muslims in custody and general harrassment.”)

“The train travelled from ‘Azamgarh’ in northern Uttar Pradesh state and picked up more passengers en route to Delhi.”

“The BBC’s Joana Jolly in Delhi says more than ‘2,000’ people gathered at the protest at Jantar Mantar, a popular forum for demonstrations.”

“The Muslims here are proud to be patriotic, they have promoted the concept of peace here, they ‘live’ together ‘in harmony’,”

“In November, Human Rights Watch said police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh should be prosecuted for torturing Muslims detained after bomb blasts last year.”
“The state government had admitted that 21 men had been tortured and would each receive $600 in compensation.”

I have. Nice to see you admitting and enjoying a foreign article pointing out your country’s flaw mentioned by an HRW group which sounds opposite to your ‘nobody’s business of what we do’ tirade, after initially labelling it a fabrication.

Yes, its nice to admire democratic principles however this is still unsatisfactory as in a true democracy charges would press ahead with transparency and new policies would be instated to avoid such harrassment and abuse of minorities and the grieviances of the communities would be addressed further where a protest would have been deemed unnecessary.

(One of the protest organisers, Maulana Amir Rashadi, said Muslim youths were being falsely targeted as terrorists.

The protesters arrived in Delhi carrying banners which said: “Let the truth prevail, bring the innocents out of jail” and “Give us security, not tears and blood”.)

(“We are hoping for justice. We are hoping for transparency.”)

Yea, I know how to copy and paste ‘words out of text’ too.

Anyways this isn’t to degrade India or mock its HR. I point this out to highlight the flaws that need to be addressed to create the model India can be for Asia, if not, the world. Of course you don’t deem it necessary for India to be a ‘role model’, so we’ll have to disagree with each other on that.

—Constructive criticism is always welcome, what you construe as non-transparency, discrimination et al, are the inbuilt hazards of a democratic society, for not to be content is human, but that it can enjoy the freedom to express is a fundamental right of every human also…
Saf, India, is a role model worthy of being emulated by the world, there is no ‘Nationalism’ as such,yet doesn’t suffers from any identity crisis, it’s diversified, more than the whole of Europe put together – not divided,there are innumerable values to be imbibed from India, but doesn’t superimpose it’s worthiness,for that is indulged in by the superficial types…it’s not a religious country but spiritual, yes, and this holds true across the board irrespective of caste, creed & culture…